Heatherwood future is raised in the house

The future of Heatherwood Hospital was brought up in Parliament during a debate on hospital debt.

Bracknell MP Dr Phillip Lee raised the subject with the health secretary Andrew Lansley during a Parliamentary debate on the finances of the NHS.

Heatherwood and Wexham Park NHS Foundation Trust is wracked with debt, which has prompted rumours it will have to close, and Mr Lee asked Mr Lansley what plans were being made by the Government to support hospital trusts to ensure standards of quality and financial sustainability.

Mr Lansley promised an announcement next year on the Government’s plans.

He said: “The National Health Service is forecasting a healthy surplus for 2011/12.

“However, the last Government left a legacy of up to six hospital trusts, whose private finance initiative payments are a risk to their financial sustainability, and up to 24 trusts which have such high levels of debt, following years of bailouts, that they may not meet the tests for their future financial sustainability.”

Dr Lee commented: “I am reassured the Government is taking the necessary steps in saving our local hospitals and is further looking into the support of indebted hospitals such as Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot.”